Kingdom living involves preparing leaders who make disciples who make disciples. Read on to learn more about the important work taking place in our Ministry Training Centers (MTCs) around the world.
Bogotá, Colombia
Manila, Luzon, Philippines
Sun Valley, California, US
Surrey Hills, Oklahoma, US
Bogotá, Colombia
MTCs, within a Christ-centered Trinitarian theology, are not merely a doctrinal framework but a way of forming disciples and ministers who live and serve from communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In practice, the MTCs emphasize learning in community rather than individualism. Learning takes place through dialogue, mentoring, small groups, and shared service within relationships of discipleship and collaboration.
The movements experienced in the MTCs are interpreted through Christ himself, both as the content and as the model of ministry, in dependence on the discernment of the Holy Spirit. Students are taught to join the mission that God is already carrying out in the community so that each one may experience it in their daily lives. Therefore, it is not merely an academic formation but one of life, service, and relationships, both within the church and beyond it.
It is an integral formation that affirms a clear identity in Christ, who is shaping each of his children into his image and character. At the same time, it develops knowledge that enables a biblical, theological, and cultural understanding, so that students may discern the times and the place where they are, leading them to live lives of service and accompaniment in community. The way we think about God shapes our practice in the church, in community life, and personally.
We can say that the MTCs embody Trinitarian theology in practice when they are formed in community, with Christ at the center, in dependence on the Spirit, participating in the mission of the Father, and living the Christian life with the character, knowledge, and service of the Lord Jesus Christ, who sent us, as Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21 NIV).
By Paulina Salinas, MTC Coordinator and Superintendent of Latin America
Bogota, Colombia
Manila, Luzon, Philippines
The MTC in the Philippines was launched in 2023, following the pilot of the Healthy Church program beginning with Grace Communion (GC) Pasig. During its inception, the MTC design and delivery model was adapted to the local context.
To address immediate and strategic needs for equipping in an inclusive and sustainable way, the MTC program was set up for hybrid implementation. It is hosted by GC Pasig but opened to leaders from other GCI congregations, with 16 local churches currently represented. Many interns are emerging leaders, with a few current leaders also included. Now on its second year, MTC Philippines has two batches of interns: batch 1 with 10 students and batch 2 with almost 30 participants.
3Ms: Ministry Training, Mentoring, Multiplication
One way multiplication is evident in the MTC Philippines program is in the awakening of pastors and congregations to the need for training their leaders and the benefits of leveraging the MTC. There is now a stronger appreciation for long-term and systematic leadership development. Local churches show ownership through their pastoral teams. These teams help select interns and provide church support for their financial, administrative, and ministry needs.
Multiplication is also evident in the growing number of interns, the MTC Philippines administrative staff, and volunteers from GC Pasig and other areas. It is also reflected in the variety of instructors who bring relevant knowledge and expertise, including church leaders who are also GCS students.
Meanwhile, focused and sustained mentoring is an area of growth. Many of our pastors did not have this kind of mentoring early on. To help cultivate a mentoring culture in the MTC, pastors are required to attend classes with their interns and debrief them weekly to promote accountability and deeper relationships. The curriculum involves an annual retreat for all interns, pastors, and instructors to facilitate personal interaction and learning exchange. The hope is for mentoring to become part of GCI Philippines’ leadership culture and way of doing ministry.
For ministry training, MTC Philippines aims to address the three domains of learning: head (knowledge), heart (character), and hands (ministry skills) by providing the Trinitarian Christ-centered lens, character development and team-based culture, and practical ministry tools. Assignments involve application and activities in interns’ local churches or ministry teams, which they have been implementing real time. It is worth noting that local churches have unique ministry contexts and opportunities, so the practicum fields vary.
In the last few years, the MTC program has been instrumental in the Philippines’ leadership development efforts, for interns to better understand GCI beliefs, cultivate practical leadership skills, and receive mentoring and support. It also benefits local churches and contributes to the continued roll-out of Healthy Church by deepening interns’ knowledge of principles and ministry implications, enabling them to participate more in cascading this to our congregations.
By Aron Tolentino, MTC Coordinator
Manila, Luzon, Philippines
Sun Valley, California, US
The Ministry Training Center in Sun Valley, California, began in fall 2024 with 15 credit students and 12 auditing students from the Sun Valley and Hawthorne congregations.
During the spring 2025 semester, we had 12 credit and 10 auditing students. In the Fall 2025 semester we have 12 credit students and 13 auditors.
At the Sun Valley MTC, we have four university students between the ages of 22 and 27. We have three couples between 30 and 45, and some between 50 and 60. All these students are actively involved in the church as Avenue champions, AWANA and Sunday school teachers, and facilitators of connect groups. We fervently pray to the Lord that in the coming years, leaders will emerge from this group of students who will pastor our churches or serve in various areas of ministry.
Finally, I would like to highlight that during the Fall 2025 semester, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Greg Williams, who was the instructor for the class “Introduction to GCI Polity.”
By José Lopez, MTC Coordinator
Sun Valley, California, US
Surrey Hills, Oklahoma, US
For over three years, I have had the honor of serving as the Ministry Training Center Coordinator for Grace Communion Surrey Hills. It has been an incredible experience. I also had the privilege of participating in earlier internship and residency programs years ago before stepping into full-time ministry. Looking back, I can see how the program has shifted and grown, and I believe what we are experiencing now is truly something special.
At Surrey Hills we have two pastoral residents and one intern, and I have seen so much growth, hard work, and heart for ministry in these young leaders. The key, I believe, is GCI’s commitment to High Support/High Challenge. In the past, there was often strong encouragement and support, but perhaps not enough challenge or accountability. Young leaders crave responsibility and ownership. At the same time, challenge without support can overwhelm. Holding both together makes all the difference.
Support looks like saturating them in prayer, grounding them in Trinitarian theology, providing hands-on training, ensuring adequate financial help, and inviting them into life-on-life ministry each week. Challenge means trusting them to lead ministries, form healthy teams, and take responsibility for discipling others. It also means lots of time with me and lots of accountability. When these two dynamics work hand in hand, young leaders are not only encouraged — they are equipped to thrive.
What excites me most is that the fruit is already visible. Our two residents and our intern are new to GCI since we planted here in 2022. They aren’t just learning about church — they are being the Church. They serve daily, lead actively, build relationships, and invite others into the life of Christ. They are walking others through the Apprenticeship Square and are passionate about equipping more disciples.
God has been so faithful to this work, and I believe the best is yet to come. We are seeing leaders emerge who love Jesus, embrace our theology, and are eager to join the Spirit in what he is doing in our neighborhoods. This is how leaders, ministries, and churches will multiply — not by theory alone, but by living out the gospel together every day.
By Ceeja Malmkar, MTC Coordinator and Pastor
Surrey Hills, OK, US
By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator
